The Bible as Literature
English 252 / Religious Studies 252
Spring 2003
Room: Heide 213		 Jerre Collins
Office: Heide 433
Phone: 472-5045 (office); 473-7689 (home)
Hours: MWF 9:45-10:45;
& by appointment


Syllabus

Introduction
This course is an introduction to the literature of the Bible--or rather Bibles, since different religious traditions have gathered together different sets of writings under this title, writings composed, compiled, and edited over a period of more than twelve hundred years. The course has several goals.
Goal One. Because a single semester is much too short to read the whole Bible, we can only sample its literary riches and gain a sense of the great range and diversity of texts gathered within this "library." We will read and examine some of the great narratives of the Bible. We will explore its literary genres, forms, and motifs, many of which are important to English and American literature--for example, origin stories, hero stories, psalms, parables, the loss of Eden, the Promised Land. We will study these forms and motifs in a body of texts, some of which are among the oldest recorded examples of literature in the world. We will read from the story cycles in the Jewish Scriptures about the figures of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, and others, and from similar story cycles about Jesus, the Apostles, and Paul in the New Testament. We will also survey the development of literary forms in the areas of Law, Wisdom, Prophecy, and Apocalypse.

Goal Two. Modern literary studies have opened up a range of techniques and approaches helpful for understanding, analyzing, and appreciating literary texts. We will survey some of these techniques and approaches (including formal and structural analysis, archetypal criticism, psychological analysis, genre criticism, historical criticism and "new historical" criticism). In fact, some important techniques of textual analysis now widely used in literary studies were developed by biblical scholars over the last two centuries. We will practice using a variety of approaches to the literary texts of the Bible, to see how they contribute to a deeper understanding of the texts.

Goal Three. One of my basic goals for this course is for you to gain sufficient background information, frameworks for interpretation, experience with representative texts, and confidence in your own reading and interpretive abilities, so that you will continue to read the literature of the Bible and what others have written about the Bible, and read with pleasure and understanding, long after this course is over.

Goal Four. The foundational texts or scriptures of major religions are frequently used to justify violence against other human beings, not only in Islam but also in Judaism and Christianity. As we move through the semester, we will inquire how the various texts we are reading either legitimize or delegitimize violence by some humans against others
Course Requirements
Since later class sessions will build on the background information and discussions of earlier sessions, I expect that you will attend class regularly, and that you will participate in the discussions. After three unexcused absences, you will begin to lose points from the attendance/participation part of the grade--probably one percentage point for each additional absence. Ordinarily, only official university excuses count. On the other hand, don't kill yourself on snowy or icy roads, trying to get here. I will take the weather into account.
You will each write an 6-8 page paper or do a creative project, on any aspect of the literature of the Bible that falls within the range of this course. You may, for example do a literary analysis of a "self-contained" section of one of the Biblical books (a narrative, a poem, etc.), or of a whole book. You may want to compare a biblical narrative (the flood story, for example, or a biblical apocalypse) with other similar narratives from Ancient Near Eastern literature. You may want to examine how a motif such as the vineyard or the shephard is used, reused, and sometimes transformed in the books of the Bible. You may want to explore the different characterizations of God that occur in various places in the Bible. You may want to write a collection of modern psalms or parables. Etc., etc. If you are not sure whether a topic is appropriate for the course or not, check with me.
There will also be frequent short written assignments, weekly quizzes and a final exam for the course that will combine objective questions and essay questions.

Blackboard: I am putting some of the materials for this course on Blackboard, a program available via the "e-Learning" drop-down menu on the UWW Home Page. I hope to use Blackboard to make available background and supplementary materials, and to manage the weekly quizzes.

Grading: The semester grade will be computed roughly as follows:
Paper or creative project about 33%
Attendance & participation about 33%
Quizzes, other written work, & final exam about 33%.
Texts: We will use the following texts from the Textbook Library for the course:
The HarperCollins Study Bible. New Revised Standard Version, with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical books. Edited by Wayne Meeks and others. NY: HarperCollins, 1993. (Called "Bible" in the course calendar.)
Stephen L. Harris. Understanding the Bible. Fifth ed. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield, 2000.
Dalley, Stephanie, trans. Myths From Mesopotamia: Creation, The Flood, Gilgamesh, and Others. The World's Classics. NY: Oxford UP, 1991. (This book may or may not be available for checkout from Textbook Rental. When last I checked, it was on the shelves, but officially it has been withdrawn.)
In addition, we will read selections from other sources, which will be handed out in class or placed on reserve in the library or made available via Blackboard.

Notice of University Policy: The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is dedicated to a safe, supportive and non-discriminatory learning environment. It is the responsibility of all undergraduate and graduate student to familiarize themselves with University policies regarding Special Accommodations, Misconduct, Religious Beliefs Accommodation, Discrimination and Absence for University Sponsored Events. (For details refer to the Undergraduate and Graduate Timetables; the "Rights and Responsibilities" section of the Undergraduate Bulletin; the Academic Requirements and Policies and the Facilities and Services sections of the Graduate Bulletin; and the "Student Academic Disciplinary Procedures" [UWS Chapter 14]; and the "Students Nonacademic Disciplinary Procedures" [UWS Chapter 17]).



Course Calendar

This calendar is subject to revision at any time. Revisions will be announced in class and posted on Blackboard.
All readings are to be completed before class on the day they are listed.
Jan 21 Introduction to the Course; History of the Biblical Period
Jan 23 History (cont.); The Biblical Texts as Literature
Reading: Understanding the Bible 1-34 incl. Box 1.1.
"Susanna (Chap. 13 of the Greek Version of Daniel)," Bible 1637-1640.
Please bring the Bible to class.
Jan 28 A Clash of Creation Stories; The Bible's Creation Stories; Paradise and its Loss
Reading: Understanding the Bible 82-104 incl. Boxes 3.1, 3.2, & 3.3.
[strongly recommended:] Understanding the Bible 53-80 (Chap. 2).
Gen. 1--3 (the two creation stories) Be sure to consult the study notes for this section.
Psalms 104 and 74 (meditations on creation)
Gregory Bateson, "On Empty-Headedness Among Biologists and State Boards of Education" (Handout)
[optional:] From The Babylonian Epic of Creation, in Myths from Mesopotamia:
Tablet I, pp. 233-236 (up to "Anu cried out")
Tablet IV, pp. 249-255
Tablet V, pp. 255-256 (up to "15 lines broken")
Tablet VI, pp. 260-264 (up to "Anshar gave him another name")
Jan 30 Other Origin Stories: Loss and Alleviation (with focus on the Noah and the Flood traditions)
Reading: Understanding the Bible 104-105 and Boxes 3.4 & 3.5.
Gen. 4--11 (You can skim over the genealogies, but read at least one to get the flavor.)
Recommended: "Atrahasis" (the Mesopotamian flood story) in Myths from Mesopotamia (1-35)
Feb 4 Sampling the Patriarchal Story Cycles: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
Reading: Understanding the Bible 105-113 incl. Box 3.6.
Genesis 12; 15--22 Stories from the Abraham cycle
Genesis 24--33; 35 Stories from the Isaac and Jacob cycles
Feb 6 The Joseph Story; The Trickster Figure
Reading: Understanding the Bible 113-116
Genesis 37; 39--48; 49.29--50.26 (the end of Genesis) Stories from the Joseph cycle
Feb 11 The Moses Story; The Pattern of the Hero Story
Reading: Understanding the Bible 116-127, 133-143, incl. Boxes 3.7 & 3.11.
Exodus 1--19; 24; 32--33; 40
Numbers 11--12; 20--21.20
Deuteronomy 34
Feb 13 "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho": Stories of the Conquest of Canaan
Reading: Understanding the Bible 144-154 incl. Box 4.1.
Joshua 1--6; 10; 23-24
Feb 18 Introduction to The Law or Torah:
The Covenant Code; the Decalogues; the Shema Ysrael; the Law of Holiness
Reading: Understanding the Bible 130-133 and Boxes 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, & 3.12.
Exodus 20--23; 34
Deuteronomy 5--11; also 28; 30
Leviticus 19; also 11; 16; 25
Feb 20 The Judges of Israel; The Samson story
Reading: Understanding the Bible 155-160 incl. Box 4.2.
Judges 1--2; 4--5; 11; 13--16
Feb 25 The Kings of Israel; A Sampling of the David and Solomon Story Cycles
Reading: Understanding the Bible 161-188 incl. Boxes 4.3, 4.4, & 4.5.
1 Samuel 15--18
2 Samuel 3; 5--7; 11--12
1 Kings 1--3
Recommended: More of the David stories in 2 Samuel
Feb 27 The Prophetic Call; Prophecy and History (incl. Isaiah & the fall of Jerusalem)
Reading: Understanding the Bible 189-196 incl. Box 5.1 & 5.2.
1 Sam 1; 2:1-10, 26; 3
Isaiah 6
Jeremiah 1
Ezekiel 1--3; 37
Mar 4 Readings in the Prophets
Reading: Understanding the Bible 201-205, 218-221, 224 (on Isaiah);
Understanding the Bible 209-214 (on Jeremiah);
Understanding the Bible 214-218 (on Ezekiel).

Some of the following sections from Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel will be assigned for class reading. All are recommended reading.
READINGS from Isaiah:
1:1-2:4 introduction: first sounding of major themes
5:1-7 song of the beloved's vineyard
6--12 "The Book of Immanuel"
35 triumphant return to Jerusalem
40 beginning of The Book of Consolation, or "Second Isaiah"
42:1-9 first "Suffering Servant" song
49:1-7 second "Suffering Servant" song
50:4-11 third "Suffering Servant" song
52:13--53:12 fourth "Suffering Servant" song
(Note the similarities in the sections which immediately follow each "Suffering Servant" song.)
55 invitation to the new covenant (ending of "Second Isaiah")
56:1-8 beginning of "Third Isaiah"
61 a vision of deliverance and covenant
65:17-25 the new creation
66 coda: repetition of main themes
READINGS from Jeremiah:
1:1--3:18 introduction; call to conversion
13:1-14 the symbolic loincloth
19--20 the symbolic broken jug; Jeremiah persecuted; two laments
23:1-8 return and renewal [the passage from which the Branch Davidians derived their name]
26--29 episodes in the career of Jeremiah
31 return, recovery, and new covenant
32 Jeremiah buys a field
36 the scroll in the temple
38 Jeremiah thrown into the well
52 Appendix: fall of Jerusalem
(=2 Kings 24:18--25:21,27-30)
READINGS from Ezekiel:
1--5 introduction: visions and symbolic actions
11:14-21 a new covenant
14:12-23 the 4 scourges
17:1-21 allegory of the eagles and the vine
18 individual responsibility
23 allegorical history of Jerusalem & Samaria
33:10-20 conversion & prosperity--a new beginning (& fate) always possible
34 shepherds of Israel
37 the dry bones
40:1-20...43:1-12...47:1-12...48:30-35 the new temple (& city)
Mar 6 The Psalms; the Song of Solomon
Reading: Understanding the Bible 230-241, 259-260.
The Song of Solomon (9 pages)

READINGS from the Psalms: [starred readings are required; the rest are recommended]
*   8 Hymn celebrating God's glory & the dignity of humans
   14 Condemnation of a cynical & unrighteous age
* 22 Lament: Prayer for deliverance ("My God, my God, why have you forsaken me")
* 23 Song of Confidence & Thanksgiving ("The Lord is my shepherd")
   42 Lament: Prayer for Healing ("As a deer longs for flowing streams")
   46 Song of Zion celebrating God's ultimate victory ("God is our refuge and our strength")
* 74 Group Lament: Prayer for deliverance from national enemies
     [Note similarities between details of the primordial battle and the creation of the world here, and parts of Enuma Elish.]
   84 Song Praising Zion as the Longed-for Goal of the Pilgrim
  110 Royal Psalm: The Lord Promises Victory to His King ("The Lord said to my lord"
*121 Song of Ascents: The Lord will protect ("I lift up my eyes to the hills")
*127 Song of Ascents/Wisdom Song ("Unless the Lord builds the house")
*137 Lament: Prayer for Vengeance ("By the rivers of Babylon...")
  146-150 A Sequence of Hymns of Praise ("Praise the Lord!" = "Hallelujah")
Mar 11 Clashing Wisdom Traditions: Optimism vs. Pessimism
Reading: Understanding the Bible 241-256.
Proverbs 1, 8--9, 10, 25:6-7, 21-22, 27:1-2, 30:1-9, and 31
Ecclesiastes 1--4 and 7--9
Job 1-7; 31; 38; and 40-42
Mar 13 The Return from Exile: A Clash of Perspectives
Reading: Understanding the Bible 257-259, 264-265, 268-273.
Ezra 1; 3:1-4:4; 5:1-2; 6:13-7:28; 9:1-10:17, 44
Nehemiah 8; 12:44-13:31
Ruth 1-4 (the entire book)
Mar 18 Apocalypse: A Literary Genre and a Mind-Set
Reading: Understanding the Bible 274-283, 285-293.
Dan 1-6 (the first half of the book)
Mar 20 An Apocalyptic Vision - And an Alternative
Reading: Understanding the Bible 262-263.
Dan 6-12 (the second half of Daniel)
Esther 1-10 (the whole book)
Mar 24-28 Spring Break
Apr 1 New Testament Background - The Times and the Literature; Intro to the Gospels; The "Synoptic Problem"
Reading: Understanding the Bible 316-319, 335-346, 351-363.
Matthew 1-2; Mark 1:1-14; Luke 1:1-4; John 1:1-34 (The openings of the four gospels)
Mark 12:28-34 (The greatest commandment)
Mark 3:31-35 (Jesus' true kin)
Luke 11:1-13 (The Lord's Prayer; confidence in prayer)
Apr 3 The Great Sermon
Reading: Understanding the Bible 391-392.
Matthew 5--7 (The Sermon on the Mount)
Apr 8 The Gospel of Luke as Story: I
Reading: Understanding the Bible 398-412.
Luke 1-9 [to the story's turning point]
Apr 10 The Gospel of Luke as Story: II; The Parables
Reading: Luke 10:1-17:10
Aesop's Fables (handout)
Parables - focus on those marked with an "*" on the following list. Read Luke's version.
(But note that the Laborers in the Vineyard parable appears only in Matthew.)
Recommended: The rest of the parables on this list, and the alternate versions of the starred parables.
List of Selected Parables _Mt_  Mk_  Lk_  Jn 
New cloth; new wine 9:16-17 2:21-22  5:36-38   
* The sower 13:1-30, 34-43  4:1-20 8:4-15  
The lamp under the bushel basket  5:14-16 4:21-23 8:16-17  
The hidden treasure; the pearl  13:44-46      
* The good Samaritan     10:25-37  
* The great banquet 22:1-14    14:15-24  
* The lost sheep 18:10-14   15:1-7  
The unforgiving servant 18:23-35      
* The prodigal son     15:11-32  
The dishonest manager     16:1-8  
The rich man and Lazarus     16:19-31  
* Laborers in the vineyard 20:1-16      
The two sons 21:28-32      
The Pharisee & the tax collector (23:12)   18:9-14  
The talents 25:14-30   19:11-27  
The shepherd and the sheep       10:1-21 
Apr 15 The Gospel of Luke as Story: III; The Gospel of John
Reading: Understanding the Bible 413-428.
Luke 17:11-24:53 [to the end]
John 2:1-8:20; 9; 11:1-12:10 - (from the public ministry of Jesus: signs and discourses)
John 13:1-35; 20-21 - (the Last Supper; the Empty Tomb and beyond)
Apr 17 A Non-Canonical Gospel: the Gospel of Thomas [Apr 18 is Good Friday]
Reading: Understanding the Bible 523-527.
Gospel of Thomas (handout)
Apr 22 The Earliest Preaching About Jesus; the Early Struggle Over What It Means to be "Christian"
Reading: Understanding the Bible 447-450.
Acts 1--2
Acts 6:1--8:3
Acts 9:1-31
Acts 10:1--11:18
Acts 15
Apr 24 Three Letters of Paul: His First, and Two Later Ones
Reading: Understanding the Bible 470-472, 478-481, 488-489.
1 Thessalonians
Galatians
Philemon
Apr 29 Other Interpretations of Jesus' Significance; Moving from "Sect" to "Church"
Reading: Understanding the Bible 500-504, 510-511, 495-497.
Hebrews 1--10
1 John
1 Timothy
May 1 A Christian Apocalypse: The Book of Revelation I
Reading: Understanding the Bible 512-518.
Rev 1-7
May 6 The Sense of an Ending: The Book of Revelation II
Reading: Understanding the Bible 518-521.
Rev 8-22
May 8 Review and Wrap-up (Last Class Day)
Reading: (To be assigned)
May 13 10:00am-12noon Final Exam

"Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh."
                                                                                           --Ecclesiastes 12:12

End of Syllabus and Calendar Page
Jerre Collins
Last edited: Jan. 19, 2003